Dual Mode University in Southern Africa Development Community (SADC): Successes, Challenges and Solutions

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue III, March 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Dual Mode University in Southern Africa Development Community (SADC): Successes, Challenges and Solutions

Leonorah Tendayi Nyaruwata

Zimbabwe Open University, Zimbabwe

Abstract: – Dual mode offering of university education is a fast growing phenomenon around the world. While an increasing number of higher education conventional institutions is transforming into dual mode, their reasons for transforming, successes achieved and challenges faced have not been well documented. The factors influencing transformation of conventional universities to dual mode have also not been well documented. It is of significance to interrogate why single mode open and distance learning (ODL) universities are not transforming to dual mode, that is, incorporating the conventional mode yet they seem to be increasing enrolment numbers in leaps and bounds. While there is a lot of information concerning successes and challenges experienced in both conventional and open and distance higher education institutions, there is a paucity of information on these experiences about dual mode higher education institutions. The study examined how dual mode is enhancing internationalisation of university culture in the global village. It is, therefore, the aim for this paper to interrogate and document the SADC dual mode higher education institutions’ successes and challenges in order to improve the academic performance of the students. The study used qualitative approach, interpretive philosophy and case study design. Data were generated through interviews and document analysis. The data were analysed through constant comparison analysis technique. The population of the study comprised distance education institutes directors and lecturers. One of the key findings was dual mode university increase access, enrollment and revenue and this led to the conclusion that conventional and DE learning environments are complementary and advance internationalisation of higher education. The main recommendation was that DE centers and institutes become autonomous in order to run the units effectively and efficiently to produce quality products.

Key Words: dual mode, higher education, distance education, conventional university

I. INTRODUCTION

Not everyone can attend conventional university education. Some people have jobs to work during typical classroom hours. Some people live far from conventional university campus and do not have the means or the time to travel to classes. Some people have disabilities that prevent or make attending conventional university lectures unreasonably difficult.

Read More